by Jane Charles
My stomach tightens and I swallow against the lump in my throat. “To pull the trigger of a gun,” I tell him. “It’s from Gun Song from Assassins.”
“I guess we’ll never know if he was going to aim at me or you.”
“Well, he’s now ruined West Side Story and Assassins for me. They were two of my favorite musicals.”
“Don’t!” Brett turns me to face him. “Do not let him take that from you.
I stare into his deep blue eyes. Brett’s right. Why should I let some jerk ruin something for me? I had fun being in those musicals and I’d see both of them again if I got the chance. Just because some ass twisted the lyrics doesn’t mean I have to let it affect me. “You’re right.”
He leans and kisses me. “And now that is taken care of, I think they are going to move your grandmother back to the house tomorrow, and Theo.”
“So, what are you proposing?” I hope it’s what I think it is.
“That we make full use of that bedroom of yours while we can.”
I match his grin. “Race you up the stairs.”
“Good work, Robak,” my boss is telling me when I get in the next day. “Agents Jones and Bruce tell me you handled yourself well.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“I think Miss Hickock should apply to the FBI,” Ingrid says as she walks by.
“I don’t think Ashley would mind a few private lessons from Agent Jones,” I counter.
Greg turns to look at me, his eyebrow lift as if he doesn’t know if this is real or I’m giving him shit.
“She said she wouldn’t mind being pinned by you.” I laugh.
“Maybe I do have a few follow-up questions for Miss Hickock. We don’t want to leave anything out.”
“Okay, enough of that,” my boss says. “We’ve got something else brewing. Come to the conference room.”
And so the fun for the morning is over. I grab my bag, dump it at my desk, get a cup of coffee and head into the room. Greg and Ingrid follow me in. Six other agents are sitting around the table and a map of New York State is up on the board.
“We’ve may have a few home grown that are operating along the border and getting illegals in.”
I’m not sure what that has to do with us.
“Buffalo and Niagara are covered. You guys are going here.” He circles Ogdensburg. “We think they are using boats instead of crossing at the border.”
“How long will be we gone?” one of the agents asks.
“Two weeks. A month. Don’t know yet. So pack accordingly. You leave on Monday.”
Shit!
This is what I wanted to do. To stop terrorists. But, things are just about to get normal for me and Jackie. Will all that change if I’m gone for a month?
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“Brett coming back soon?” Theo asks me as we walk through the camp. Brett’s been gone six weeks but Theo seems more concerned than I am with when he’ll return. With each week that passes, Theo gets tenser. I’m not sure if it’s because school will start soon or he thinks Brett is blowing me off.
It isn’t like we dated long, or that it was even normal dating, before he had to up and leave to parts unknown doing something he couldn’t tell me about. He’s been gone longer than I’ve known him.
He’s called, often, but I still don’t know what he’s doing other than it involves his work as an agent for the FBI.
This is the strangest relationship I’ve ever been in.
“Actually,” I smile. “He’s coming back today and will have ten days off since he didn’t get a break while he was gone.”
Theo’s shoulders relax. “Will he be coming over when he gets back?”
“I think he’s going to visit his aunt, uncle and cousins first since he will be staying with them.”
“But he intends to see you too?”
Why is Theo so concerned? “Yes. We’ll probably go get something to eat, hang out and talk.” We don’t have set plans and it’s not like we can be alone since Grandma is back living with us. She’d have a fit if Brett even thought about going upstairs. He’ll be sleeping in his uncle’s basement, which makes it impossible to have any privacy with seven kids ages twelve and under hanging out.
We couldn’t even have magical phone sessions while he was gone because he had a roommate. So, the past six weeks have sucked on many levels and I don’t anticipate it getting better, except we’ll at least get to see each other.
Then again, there’s always the fishing shed. I try not to grin, but I’ve just decided that Brett and I will be taking walks – a lot.
“Good.”
I stop and look at Theo. “Why is this so important to you?”
He shrugs but the muscle twitches in his jaw. “I like the guy. You like the guy. I just want to make sure it works out for you and that he’s treating you right.”
I snort and continue walking to the group of kids using water colors to paint grandma’s butterfly garden. “Since when have you ever cared who I dated?” This was not like Theo at all. In fact, until this summer, he barely spoke to me. Now he was all concerned about me finishing my degree so I can be a principal one day.
“Hey, I’ve been thinking.” In fact, it’s something I’ve thought about for the past couple of weeks. “Why don’t I homeschool you this last year of school?”
“Don’t you have your own education to worry about?”
“It’s not like I’m going to be doing anything else. Going to school and studying. Might as well educate you too.” I nudge him in the side. “It’s your senior year. You’ve only got a couple of more classes to meet requirements for graduation.” I wouldn’t even be suggesting this if it was like his freshman year in high school. That workload would be too heavy for me to take on and keep up my own studies.
His jaw tightens, then he blows out a breath. I know he hates school, but he has to graduate. Even if he doesn’t end up going to college.
“I’ll think about it,” he finally says and walks off.
I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, if anything, but I thought he’d prefer this to going back to school. As it is, I’m still not sure what he thinks of the idea.
My phone dings and my heart jumps. It has been six weeks since my stalker was caught, but I still get jumpy when someone texts me.
This is your warning. Pack for five days, camping is on the agenda. I’ve cleared it with your uncle and grandmother so they know you won’t be at the camp. Pick you up in two hours. Heading for the mountains.
If anyone else would have sent me this text I would have first asked if they sent it to the wrong person and then told them hell no. But, it’s Brett and since I haven’t seen him in six weeks, I’d sleep by a fire, out in the wilderness and catch my own dinner just to be alone with him.
Crap, what do I even pack? But, since I will be gone for five days, the first thing on the agenda is a shower and washing my hair, and shaving all the necessary body parts. Who knows when I’ll get a chance to wash again? It might not be until I come back. Then, I’ll pack and hope I figure out what I need while in the shower.
When I get to my room, Grandma already has my brother Tyler’s backpack on the bed. He was always going off camping and roughing it in the Catskills with his friends before he joined the Army. Grams also has my clothing already laid out on the bed. In place of makeup, she has mosquito spray and sunscreen. There are socks, boots, jeans and a few shorts, long sleeved shirts and t-shirts. Nothing pretty or frilly. But, I get that. I’ll be in a tent, if I’m lucky, and probably sleeping in my clothes. Well, when I’m in my clothes.
“Brett assured me that there would privacy for you and separate places to sleep.” She narrows her eyes on me. “You know how I feel about premarital sex. Your aunts didn’t listen to me and look how they ended up.”
I keep a sober expression and nod my head.
“He’s a nice boy. I know he’ll treat you right and be respectful or I’d never let you go.”
As if she could stop
be. I am an adult, but I also respect my grandmother too much that I wouldn’t go against her wishes, as long as they are reasonable. And, if she thinks Brett and I are sleeping in different tents, bags, or whatever, I’ll let her keep on believing it.
Jackie’s waiting and ready to go when I arrive. She’s wearing a pair of loose, faded jeans and a t-shirt. I’ve not seen her look so casual before and I really like it. Especially the way that t-shirt hugs her boobs. If her grandmother wasn’t standing right there I’d grab Jackie and kiss her so fucking hard. It has been six weeks and I want to do a hell of a lot more than kiss.
But, her grandmother is standing there and my inner Eagle Scout emerges, along with my military training, and with it, respect for the woman that raised Jackie since she was ten. My back goes straight, hands to my side and as soon as she speaks to me the answer will be “Yes, Ma’am” no matter what she says.
Jackie’s also not wearing any makeup, which I really like. Not that she wears all that much anyway, but she doesn’t even have eyeliner on. All natural and I can’t wait to get up into the mountains so all of her is natural, and uncovered, down to her little toes.
A worn backpack is sitting next to her and I’m surprised to see that and not a suitcase.
“I’ll warn you,” her grandmother says. “Jackie’s idea of camping is a hotel that doesn’t have room service, a restaurant or a bar.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
Jackie’s face flushes to a soft pink and she looks away from me.
“Fishing to her is sticking the pole in the sand next to her and ignoring any bite on the line while she gets some sun and reads a book.”
“Yes, Ma’am. I’ll take care of everything so she at least eats.”
If her grandmother is trying to discourage me from taking Jackie camping she is mistaken. Jackie could sit on her ass all day while I do everything. As long as she’s there, with me, and keeping me warm at night, that is all that matters. The only reason for this trip is to get away from everybody, everything and to be alone without interruption.
“She has everything she needs for camping and roughing it, and nothing silly,” her grandmother continues. “Good luck.”
This time Jackie frowns at her. “I’m not as lazy as you make me out to be.”
Her grandmother chuckles. “Lazy has nothing to do with it. Living without electricity or running water for a few days is an entirely different matter.”
Jackie wrinkles her nose and then catches my eye. “I’m sure we’ll be fine.” Then she grins at me. “Brett’s been threatening to make a Wilderness Girl out of me.”
This time her grandmother snorts as Theo walks in the door.
He eyes the backpack and Jackie and then frowns. “Where are you going?”
“Jackie and I are going camping for five days.”
Her brother starts laughing. “I bet you’re back in forty-eight hours.”
“Hey!” Jackie protests, but Theo ignores her and grabs the backpack.
“I’m just going to grab some waters,” Jackie calls as she heads off to the kitchen and her grandmother gives me a wink.
“It won’t be so bad. I’m just giving her a hard time.”
“I thought you were trying to warn me.”
“That too,” she smiles.
“Open your trunk,” Theo calls from outside and I head out.
He’s standing there, and it’s already open. His fists are on his hips. “I don’t see any camping equipment. Just groceries and linens.”
Shit!
I hurry over before Jackie or her grandmother comes outside. “Can you keep a secret?”
Theo eyes me with suspicion and then gives a quick nod.
“I rented a cabin, but I don’t want your grandmother to know that, or Jackie yet.”
“Why?”
“I don’t think your grandmother will approve after going on and on about there being two tents.”
Theo snorted. “Like you need any if the mood strikes.”
True, not that I’d admit that to Jackie’s little brother.
“She is so old fashioned.” He’s shaking his head.
Actually, I kind of like that about their grandmother, not that I’m going to be all that old-fashioned once I have Jackie alone.
“Why didn’t you tell Jackie?” he finally asks.
“I kind of like making her squirm with talk of campfires, fishing, tents and sleeping bags. You and I both know that probably sounds like hell to her, but the fact that she’s willing to go for me, means a hell of a lot.”
“You have no idea.”
“The cabin will have running water, a full bath and a kitchen. Just like being at house.”
“She is going to be so pissed.”
For the first time I’m alarmed. “Why?”
“Did you see her? Hair in a ponytail, no makeup, her bumming around clothing? She’s probably got herself all prepared to not have a chance to brush her hair and having to pee behind a tree. When she gets there and knows that she could have her makeup, nicer clothing and all that stuff she’s going to get self-conscious that she isn’t looking her best for you. Girls are like that.”
I can’t help it and grin. “I want her just the way she is right now. She doesn’t need to go to all that trouble for me anyway.”
Theo’s smirk disappears and he studies me. There’s thoughtfulness and questions in his green eyes.
“Are you in this for the long haul?” he finally asks me.
“Marriage?”
He shrugs. “Kind of, I guess.”
My gut tightens at the question. Will Theo go all over protective if I don’t answer this right? “Look, I like Jackie, a lot. I sure as hell don’t want it to end any time soon. But, I’m not exactly ready to put a ring on her finger yet either.”
He cocks his head and purses his mouth as if he’s thinking on this.
Shit! Not what he wanted to hear?
Then he nods. “I get it. Too soon.” Then he takes at step forward, his eyes boring into mine. “But if you break her heart or hurt her in any way, I’m gonna beat your ass.”
“Deal!” The last thing I intend to do is hurt Jackie. And who knows, there may be a ring in the future. I’m just not sure when, but it isn’t now.
He takes a step back and closes the trunk. “Look, I just want to make sure she’s taken care of. As long as she won’t be alone, I’m good.” With that he turns and saunters off, headed back to the campers.
Won’t be alone? Odd.
“I’m ready if you are.” Jackie grins as she practically bounces out of the house and hands me a bottle of water.
I go around and open her door for her and wait to close it until she’s settled. Her grandmother is standing here, nodding, a smile on her face. I doubt the woman would be so approving if she had any idea of the real activities I have planned for me and Jackie over the next few days. And, hardly any of them involve fishing. Hell, we might not even leave the cabin, or the bed.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
I can’t believe I am going camping. If anyone else would have asked I would have laughed in their face.
Oh my God! Am I in love? It’s either that, or I’ve lost my blooming mind.
Blooming! One of my favorite words of late. I’ve been reading a lot of historical romances over the last six weeks, when I’m done with my work at the camp. My brain tends to switch to Regency phrases when I’ve been reading books back to back, but they are fun words, even if they don’t enter into everyday conversation. Like blast, bullocks, bloody hell, wanton, vexing.
I glance at Brett out of the corner of my eyes and wonder how he’d look in a cravat and knee-breeches and can barely contain my giggle. Not that he’d look funny. Quite the opposite, in fact. I just can’t believe this is my train of thought.
Then again, it’s better than thinking about camping, and bugs, and snakes, and peeing and pooping behind a tree.
I can barely contain the shudder and decide to think about learning how to pla
y Whist.
He looks back at me out of the corner of his eye and his brows furrow. “What?”
“Do you know how to play Whist?”
“Um, no.” Now he thinks I’m nuts. “And, I didn’t bring any cards.”
I hadn’t expected him to. We were roughing it, which doesn’t involve parlor games.
Geez. Stop thinking in terms of Regency. Then again, they didn’t have electricity, and neither will I. But, they had very nice townhouses, with servants. I’ll have a tent. But, at least we are in a car and not a barouche. Though tooling around Central Park in a horse drawn carriage with Brett would be rather romantic. More so that pan fried fish over an open fire.
Stop that! I will enjoy this trip. I will not complain.
Brett pulls off to a rest area and cuts the engine. We haven’t been on the road that long. Does he need the facilities already, or is this the last stop before nature is our only choice?
He turns to me and leans over. I lean in waiting for him to tell me something. Instead, he grasped the back of my neck as his lips descend upon mine, kissing me deeply and fully. Tangling his tongue with mine. Everything in me heats and I’ll be a puddle if he keeps it up, not that I’m about to stop him.
To my regret he pulls away.
“God, I missed you.”
“I missed you too.” Camping may not be so bad after all.
I swear I can almost hear her thoughts on camping the further we drive into the Catskills. She hates the idea but is doing this for me. “The weather is supposed to be good, but there is a chance for rain tomorrow night.”
“Rain?” she practically squeaks.
“We’ll be fine.” I dismiss her concern. “There will be shelter and I’ll make sure we are under a grouping of trees so things don’t get too wet.”
She just nods.
“We’ll have to keep an eye on the fire and I hope it doesn’t get too muddy.”